Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network

Saturday, December 30, 2006

International Day To End Torture

Endorsed by the Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network. To join the delegation to Washington DC on January 11, 2007 or to participate in local actions contact GCISN truth_force@yahoo.com

CALL TO ACTION: International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo

"There is little question of how history will respond to Guantánamo…it will be looked back on with condescension and bemusement. How could we be so foolish, misguided, cruel? How we will respond is a legal question and a political question. But it is most of all a moral question. Will we respond with courage or cowardice? This is our choice."

- Joseph Margulies, a lawyer challenging the indefinite detention of the prisoners at Guantánamo

On January 11th, 2002, twenty hooded and shackled men shuffled off a plane from Afghanistan, arriving at the U.S. prison at Guantánamo. In an attempt to sidestep the Geneva Convention protections for prisoners of war, the Bush administration created a new category of “enemy combatant” for these men captured in the “war on terror.”

Since that time, more than one thousand men and boys have been imprisoned at Guantánamo. Accounts of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment have been condemned by the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other reputable bodies. The prisoners have resorted to hunger strikes as a way of protesting their treatment. Many have attempted suicide; three men killed themselves on June 10th 2006. Desperation, fear and frustration mark their confinement.

Five years later, not a single prisoner has been charged, tried or convicted of any crime. Many have been released because no evidence has been found against them, but more than 430 men remain in indefinite detention without hope of release. The United States has abandoned law and justice.

January 11th, 2007 marks five years of unjust imprisonment, isolation, beatings, interrogation and abuse for these men. We must say: no more. We must say: no longer. For our nation of laws, for our democracy, for our humanity and theirs, we demand small but essential steps to help return our nation to the best of our own traditions.

We call on the United States government to:

· Repeal the Military Commissions Act and restore Habeas Corpus.· Charge and try or release all detainees.· Withhold funds for the proposed $125 million construction of new military courts at Guantánamo.· Clearly and unequivocally forbid torture and all other forms of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, by the military, the CIA, prison guards, civilian contractors, or anyone else.· Pay reparations to current and former detainees and their families for violations of their human rights.· Shut down Guantánamo, Abu Ghraib, Bagram and all other U.S. prisons overseas, including secret CIA detention facilities.

We mark January 11, 2007 as a day of national shame. But we can also mark it as a day of citizen action. How? By acting on behalf of our fellow human beings in Guantánamo, their bereaved families and all victims of the “war on terrorism.”

We declare January 11, 2007 an International Day of Action to Shut Down Guantánamo. In Washington, DC we will march from the Supreme Court to the U.S. Federal Court. At the Supreme Court, Guantánamo Lawyers and others will address the press. Individuals will then proceed to Federal Court, taking on the names and identities of the men in Guantánamo and submitting Habeas petitions on their behalf. With our action and our bodies, we will forge the path that the Center for Constitutional Rights and other legal advocates demand on behalf of their clients. Outside the Federal Court on Constitution Avenue, people will read testimonies and names of prisoners, perform street theater and hand out information. There will be solidarity demonstrations from Amsterdam to Boise, Idaho and a National Call-In Day to Congress.

We invite you to come to Washington and participate, either as an individual or as part of an affinity group. If travel is not an option, join or plan an action in your own community. Around the country, groups are planning vigils and actions at courthouses, federal building and public squares. In other countries, the focus will be on U.S. Embassies and military facilities. For a full list of both National and International actions, visit www.witnesstorture.org

If you plan on coming to DC, we encourage you to form affinity groups and be in touch with organizers ahead of time for details on the scenario. Contact Matt Daloisio (Daloisio@earthlink.net) or Frida Berrigan (Frida.Berrigan@gmail.com).

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Gunther and Elena were married in 2001. Gunther is retired US citizen. He worked as a factory and health care worker in Cleveland. Elena, a non-citizen, worked in health care and as private nurse in the Cleveland area. They lived in Gunther's Mayfield Village home for eight years.

One day Elena had a surprise when she went to the Cleveland office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to renew her work permit. She was arrested in September, 2005, because her U.S. visitor visa had expired. Elena's legal visitor status had lapsed during her first marriage with an abusive spouse. When she married Gunther, he petitioned for her but was denied by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

When Elena was arrested, Gunther, hired a second immigration attorney. Gunther also called the Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network. I drove him to his first meeting with the attorney, because he was so upset that he could not drive his car. It was too late to save her from deportation. She was deported in October 2005 and barred from re-entering the US for ten years.

She was deported to Moscow, Russia. Her final destination was her native country, Ukraine, where her ailing mother lives. Elena is a talented health care worker and artist but there is no job for her in Ukraine. Gunther retired in 2003 and lives on his social security payments; hardly enough money to send much help to Elena. The couple had hoped to find a sponsor in Canada, where Elena could be closer to her husband and work, until she could legally return home to Mayfield Village. Elena sent this email, in May 2006 to the Immigrant Support Network to explain her talents and work experience:

I am an art therapist, or an activity pearson in nurcing facility or hospital/ I have great experiance working with sick people who got stroke, aids, got different amputations, depressed, got alzheimers desease. I also have an experiance to work with hospise patience [patients], I also did a lot of art resoration /old paintings,/ in my past, also I got qualification in theraputic massuse [masseuse]. At this time I am steing [staying] with my friends in Moscow, because now they checking my identification because I need a new passport its drives me insain. thank you don for everything you doing for me and gunther, because if i can go to Canada i can be close to my husbend. thank you a lot don,i was very popular art therapist in meridia south point, i am very good and patient with sick and disable people and i know such professions are on demend in us because not everyone wants to be arround sick people all the time, but i have no problem and got great satisfaction to make sick people to forget they problems even for a few hours, i am missng communication with patients now, its wos a part of my life like everything else Now I have no job and my mother dieng from cancer Elena Smolej

GCISN, attempted to find a Canadian sponsor, until the situation changed with her mother's sickness. Now Elena has a sponsor and job opportunity in Spain where she can earn a decent wage so that she will afford to get her mother required medical care and provide some semblance of normalcy for both of them. She needs $500 in fees for travel documents to allow her to work in Spain. Her family can pay half of that. Gunther would love to send the $250 amount if he had it, but living on a fixed income leaves him powerless to help. Please take a moment to consider volunteering with GCISN or to make a tax-deductible contribution to help Elena. Make your check payable to the Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network (GCISN), write "Elena" in the memo line and mail to World People Exchange, 4323 Clark Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44109, or drop in Sunday for doughnuts or visit www.WeAreAllImmigrants.blogspot.com, using the Paypal button you can make your contribution. Please call 216-631-2233 ext. 2 or email truth_force@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.

In recent years, we have seen a visible increase in new immigrants in the U.S. There have traditionally been immigrant neighborhoods in most large cities across America, including Irish, Germans, Italians, and also African Americans and Appalachians who have moved to new areas in the country. After World War II, suburbs began developing around the country, and many ethnic neighborhoods melted away. Until recently, immigration ceased to be a visible issue. In the 1990s, however, a new wave of immigrants became visible, as economic globalization, new social conficts, and other forces after the end of the Cold War increased the rates of migration all over the world. Hispanics are the largest and most visible of these new immigrants in the U.S., but people have come from every region in the world seeking to support their families and to realize new opportunities.

Popular reactions to these new immigrants have also been emerging in recent years. Some responses have been positive, as new neighbors have been welcomed into jobs and communities. But there have also been negative reactions, particularly after the attacks of September 11 2001. After the Civil Rights Movement, it was no longer acceptable in America to express hate and racism... but now it seems OK to be hateful and racist against immigrants. Myths and misinformation are clouding understandings, the voices of prejudice and discrimination are becoming louder, and anti-immigrants are forming vigilante groups and pushing policies that are punitive and oppressive.

What is the Real Immigration Issue?

The American society is facing a major challenge: What kind of society we are making for ourselves? Are we to become a hateful and oppressive society? Or will we become the best that we can be as a people?

FLOC has stood for social and economic justice since its beginnings. Our members are largely immigrants making important contributions in producing foods for Americans. In recent worker conventions, they have raised the issue of the prejudice and discrimination directed against them, and have called on the union to defend immigrant rights.

In response, FLOC has developed our immigrant rights campaign, with the primary goals of:

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Organizing the immigrant community to have their own voice in all areas of their lives. *

Organizing support networks for immigrant rights. *

Policy advocacy to achieve: o The free flow of workers between countries having trade agreements. o Legal residency for immigrants permanently working and living in the country. o

Reunification of families separated by international borders. o

Full human, civil, due process, and working rights for all immigrants. o An ongoing process for addressing these issues with future migrant flows.

The information provided here is to help develop our supporters and allies to:

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Gain a better understanding of immigration and the challenges faced by both immigrants and our society. *

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network

Tips for the Eco-Friendly Home

Maintain diversity in the garden,lawn and your body. Allow beneficial insects, plants and microbes to thrive in your environment. These plants and animals help maintain a healthy balance in your body, your home and your yard. Please consider your body first. Beneficial bacteria is important to ward off infections; that's why eating yogurt can help you sustain a healthy body. Acidophilius is a group of beneficial (probiotic) human bacili which inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract and stimulate the immune system. Poor diet and use of antibiotics can reduce the natural level of acidophilus in your body.

The same principle holds true in the lawn and garden. The Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network (GCISN) understands the importance of diversity. This spring, GCISN will offer organic lawn and garden amendments and economical tips for maintenance of your environment. Through a special arrangement with Organic Lawn and Yard, GCISN will offer wholesale prices on organic supplies for your home, lawn and garden. Call 440-237-0673 or email donmbryant@yahoo.com for your eco-order. Members ($20/annually) of GCISN will get an extra 10% off wholesale prices.JOIN NOW. SEE THE "DONATE" BUTTON

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

State of Detention

Annual State of Detention and 2005 in Review From the President Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network

Immigration is central to civil liberties,international human rights and global efforts for peace. Developing relationshipswith the diverse ethnic and racial groups creates pathways to deal withpoverty, violence and other social ills. This is a criticalcomponent for developing real homeland security for hometowns everywhere.

Diplomacy is one tool that U.S. counter-terrorismpolicy apparently avoids. Instead, the government deploys divisive anddiscriminatory measures: special registration (in 2002-03, for menfrom 26 nations with large Muslim populations), roundup, detention,deportation and spying on Arab, South Asian and Muslim-Americans. Such tacticscause alienation and fear among immigrant communities.

The tactics of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have failed touncover any actual terrorism. Of the tens of thousands of Arab, Muslimand South Asian men that were subject to "special registration," no tiesto terrorism were found.

Government cases alleging terrorist ties are oftenunsubstantiated: - Sami Al-Arian was aquitted in late 2005 by a Floridajury for charges linking him to terrorism. - Yasser Hamdi, alleged Taliban loyalist, was offereda deal by the US government in which he gave up his US citizenship andreturned to Saudi Arabia. - Ahmed Omar Abu Ali claims he was tortured intoconfessing to the allegation of plotting to assasinate the president. - Capt James Yee, military chaplain, Guantanamo Bay,Cuba, accused of spying; now vindicated. - Brandon Mayfield, Muslim convert, accused of ties toSpanish train bombing; now vindicated. - Ahmed Hannan Koubriti and Ali-Haimoud accused ofterrorism in Detroit; now free and filing suit against thegovernment for a cruel, three year detention. - Nuradin Abdi, accused Columbus, Ohio mall bomber,was threatened to obtain confession and abused in prison. - Ashraf Al-Jailani of Kent, Ohio, legal US residentof Yemeni origin, was detained over three years, originally called aâ€œfirst-string al Qaeda operativeâ€. The government has retracted this allegation and recently deported him for a misdemeanor domesticviolence charge. - Imam Fawaz Damra, emigrated from Occupied Palestinein the 1980's and was convicted in 2004 for omitting affiliations onimmigration forms. He is said to have had ties to Palestinian IslamicJihad and the "Afghan rebels". The Palestinian Islamic Jihad was not on theUS terrorist list at the time of his omission and Damra supported theAfghan rebels simultaneous with President Reagan. Damra grew up in awar zone and saw his people brutalized by Israeli Defense Forces longbefore the first suicide bombings occurred. Damra has risen above theviolence, apologized for anti-Jewish statements and has become aninterfaith leader in Northeast Ohio, advocating for peace and nonviolence.He know awaits removal from the USA. See Bill Moyer's interview with Fawaz Damra: http://www.pbs.org/now/society/imam.html

Review the disturbing case of Dr. Dhafir as told byKathy Kelly of Voices in the Wilderness http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0916-14.htm

These represent several of the hundreds (possiblythousands) of cases of injustice that serve as temporary justificationthat the government is busy doing something to keep us safe while realcriminals go undetected. As the Bush administration manipulates oursystem of justice to sacrifice the rights and freedoms of a few so-called 'â€terroristsâ€, our civil liberties, the rule of law and governmentalchecks on power are severely compromised.

GCISN works to counteract fear tactics withâ€œnonviolent civilityâ€. We broaden our own lives by shopping and dining inethnic neighborhoods, attending mosque open house programs,and conversing with those who may be experiencing discrimination. These are simpletasks that open an eye to the world. Standing up for people of Muslimfaith, and Arab, Asian, African, Latino or other affected groups is ourcharge because many of us are the embedded immigrants in this country.Isn't this really standing up for ourselves?

This year GCISN has taken on many projects andcontinued to inform 165 email subscribers and media contacts throughtruth_force@yahoo.com about local and national issues concerningimmigration, racial and ethnic profiling, prisoner abuse, civil liberties, domesticviolence, diversity, cultural events and more.

DETAINEE ADVOCACY - corresponded and visited men and women detained inBedford Heights jail; Seneca County, OH; York County, PA and otherfacilities where immigrants are detained under contract with USDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Immigration and CustomsEnforcement (ICE). We have advocated for their rights to due process, healthcare, release or return to their country of origin. We have contactedfamily members, attorneys, and/or spiritual advisers when requested. - sponsored public demonstrations and programs topublicize unjust detentions, discriminatory and selective enforcementof harsh immigration laws and the heavy toll on families victimized by suchpractices. Two demonstrations were held at the A. Celebrezze FederalBldg. (Cleveland); two programs to publicize Ashraf Al-Jailani's threeyears of unjust detention were presented at the Islamic CommunityCenter of Akron and Kent. Extensive media coverage resulted from someevents. - the Arab Gazette, Arab/English news printed a frontpage article written by GCISN president concerning the plight ofone detainee/deportee and his family who were forced to sell theirrestaurant. The article also exposed huge federal expenditures for the massivedetention program of ICE and DHS. No ties to terrorism were uncoveredthrough this program.

LEGISLATIVE - sent representative to Washington DC with the FarmLabor Organizing Committee (FLOC), Toledo, OH office delegation, tolobby for fair immigration policy and a guest worker program. - organized a delegation of religious and communityactivists and immigration law experts to meet with aides to SenatorsDeWine and Voinovich to oppose the REAL ID Act and it's cumbersome andanti-constitutional provisions. For example, this act mandates states tofund a new drivers license and identification card and strips the rightof habeas corpus from non-citizens, defined as â€œpersonsâ€ and onceprotected in the Bill of Rights. - sent legislative alerts to the email list on issuesof immigration, poverty, and prisoner abuse.

IMMIGRANT AND FAMILY ADVOCACY - held two fundraisers in early 2005 to help defraylegal expenses for Michele Swensen Al-Jailani) to reunite with her threechildren after her husband's detention (see introduction) sent herinto poverty and depression. The federal government scrutinized herwith searches, surveillance, and seizure of personal property,including her computer hard drive. Over $2000 in legal fees are subsequently due.

- a panel discussion, "Families on the Front Line",was presented by GCISN for the Summer Supper Series at the Friends'Meeting House (Peace House), cosponsored by Cleveland Peace Action, WomenSpeak Out For Peace and Justice, and American Friends Service Committee. - supported domestic violence victim, Mai Hamed, aPalestinian Muslim who was set ablaze by her husband, (now deceased).Mai's hand's were burned off and 90% of her body suffered 2nd and 3rddegree burns. Members assisted Mai and her mother (and caregiver)with transportation, applications for assisted housing, communications,publicity that elicited donations, set up a Key Bank Mai Hamed Relief Fund,and organized an exhibit of Mai's paintings for the Tremont Art Walkand a subsequent Domestic Violence Forum at the Inside-Outside Gallery.

- provided and initiated "letters of support" for ImamFawaz Damra, an interfaith leader, who fell under unwarrantedgovernmental scrutiny - assisted a Palestinian family, whose husband/fatherwas deported, by escorting the children to IslamFest at a local mosque,the teenage boys to class at the Islamic Center, and the entire familyto two Cavalier's basketball games. - secured a community development grant ($1,100)through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to help fundBehind the Bars, a project designed to establish and maintain familyunity and empowerment in cases of detained or deported immigrant familymembers. The grant runs until, June, 2006. Please seewww.behindthebars.org - purchased tickets for Muslim immigrants to attendJohn Dear nonviolence program at the Congregation of St. JosephCenter - provided advocacy for immigrants of Arab, Asian,Ukranian and Central American origin.

According to the UN Geneva Migration Group (GMG) thereare "185 million international migrants in the world today, more thandouble the figure only 25 years ago. Factors that have contributed tothe increase in the scale of international migration include globalizationand growing disparities in living conditions both within andbetween countries."

Most estimates indicate that are about 11 millionundocumented migrants in the US, a 23% increase since 2001. Migrants provide essentialservices to the US economy and society . They also contribute to thedevelopment of their countries of origin by supporting their families andcommunities back home. Such remittances are important for the economy of manydeveloping countries and in some cases "surpasses the amount ofofficial development aid received." (GMG)

Nevertheless, many migrants do not receive recognitionfor their contributions. The role of migrants in society isoften misunderstood. Foreign professionals and workers play essential rolesin national economies. In their overwhelming majority they are positivecontributors and not a burden on the communities they live in.

"Many migrants, especially in low-paid jobs, facediscrimination, living at the margin of society without access toadequate housing, education or health care. Often migrants only haveaccess to jobs that place them in hazardous and exploitative work conditions.

GCISN has already forged ahead in 2006 on the issue ofimmigration reform, and human rights. Two members of GCISN willjoin the Christian Peacemaker Teams in Douglas, AZ, February 24, on theUS / Mexico Border to observe, hear concerned voices and relate the impactof immigration laws on individuals and families in the US and Mexico.www.cpt.org